Multi-Carrier Method for Providing Access to a Wireless Communication System

1. A method for providing access to a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of: transmitting a first communications protocol revision synchronization message in a first synchronization channel on a first carrier, the first communications protocol revision synchronization message directing mobiles to a paging channel on the first carrier; transmitting a redirection message in the paging channel on the first carrier, the redirection message instructing mobiles conforming to a second protocol revision to obtain a second communications protocol revision synchronization message from a second synchronization channel on a second carrier; and transmitting the second communications protocol revision synchronization message in the second synchronization channel on the second carrier, the second communications protocol revision synchronization message directing the mobile to a channel on the first carrier.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the channel on the first carrier is a BCCH.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the channel on the first carrier is a FCCCH.